Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions — What You Keep
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Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions — What You Keep
Bankruptcy & Debt Relief
A fresh start, screened in two minutes.
The means test decides whether you can file Chapter 7, and it starts with one comparison: is your household income above or below the median for your size? This gives an instant, private first read.
Who it’s for
Anyone weighing bankruptcy who wants a private gut-check first.
Why it works
A private screen converts anxious searchers into qualified consultations without a phone call.
The bankruptcy & debt relief toolkit
4 calculators, one practice area.
Each runs in the visitor’s browser, shows a real answer instantly, then routes a lead to the firm. No sign-up, nothing stored.
Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Recommender
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Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Recommender
What Gets Wiped — Dischargeability Screen
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What Gets Wiped — Dischargeability Screen
Chapter 7 Means-Test Median Screen
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Compares your annualized household income to the median for your household size — the first gate of the Chapter 7 means test.
Try it now — live
See your estimate for yourself.
This is the real tool your visitors would use, recolored to your firm.
Illustrative using the FEDERAL exemptions (11 U.S.C. §522(d)), effective Apr 1, 2025. Many states require you to use STATE exemptions instead (and some let you choose). Married couples may double most amounts. Not legal advice. This is an illustrative estimate for general informational purposes only. It is not legal, tax, or financial advice, it does not create an attorney–client relationship, and it is not a quote, promise, prediction, or guarantee of any benefit, amount, eligibility, deadline, or outcome. Figures are based on published government sources as of the date shown and change over time; results may not reflect current law or the facts of your situation. Do not rely on this tool — consult a licensed attorney before taking or refraining from any action.
How it works
From curious to qualified, in three steps.
01
Enter income & household
Your last-6-months average and household size.
02
See the screen
How you compare to the median that gates Chapter 7.
03
Talk it through
Bring the result to a no-cost review.
The key numbers
The verified figures behind the math.
Every calculator draws on published government sources, dated and monitored. These are the current ones for bankruptcy & debt relief.
31,575
§522(d)(1) homestead
As of 2026 · Federal Register, Adjustment of Certain Dollar Amounts in the Bankruptcy Code (effective Apr 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2028; 13.2% adjustment)
5,025
§522(d)(2) motor vehicle
As of 2026 · Federal Register 2025-02207 (eff. 2025-04-01)
1,675
§522(d)(5) wildcard (base)
As of 2026 · Federal Register 2025-02207
15,800
§522(d)(5) wildcard (unused-homestead add-on)
As of 2026 · Federal Register 2025-02207
16,850
§522(d)(3) household goods (aggregate)
As of 2026 · Federal Register 2025-02207
Common questions
Bankruptcy & Debt Relief — answered.
Will I lose everything if I file?
Most people keep essential property through exemptions that protect things like a home, car, and household goods within limits, under provisions such as 11 U.S.C. §522. Many filers are surprised by how much they’re able to keep.
What’s the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13?
Chapter 7 generally discharges qualifying debts relatively quickly, while Chapter 13 reorganizes debt into a repayment plan over several years. Which fits depends on your income, assets, and goals under the Bankruptcy Code.
Will bankruptcy wipe out all my debts?
Many unsecured debts can be discharged, but certain obligations — like most student loans, recent taxes, and child support — are typically harder or impossible to erase. Knowing which is which up front sets realistic expectations.
What happens to my credit?
A filing affects your credit for a period of time, but many people find their credit begins recovering once the debt burden is gone. Rebuilding steadily afterward is very common.
Does bankruptcy stop collection calls and lawsuits?
Filing generally triggers an automatic stay that halts most collection activity, including calls and many lawsuits, under the Bankruptcy Code. That breathing room is one of the immediate benefits of filing.
Why it’s built this way
Numbers you can stand behind.
Official sources only
Every figure traces to a federal or state primary source — VA, SSA, IRS, USCIS, the U.S. Trustee — with its effective date shown.
Attorney-reviewed
Tools are reviewed by a licensed attorney and ship as illustrative information, never as advice or a guarantee.
Always current
Monitored on each source’s own cadence — annual COLA, quarterly IRS interest, and so on — so a stale number can’t linger.
Zero retention
The math runs in the visitor’s browser. No claimant data is stored unless they choose to send it to the firm.
Related practice areas
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This is an illustrative estimate for general informational purposes only. It is not legal, tax, or financial advice, it does not create an attorney–client relationship, and it is not a quote, promise, prediction, or guarantee of any benefit, amount, eligibility, deadline, or outcome. Figures are based on published government sources as of the date shown and change over time; results may not reflect current law or the facts of your situation. Do not rely on this tool — consult a licensed attorney before taking or refraining from any action.